Lot 842
Largest Oviraptor Egg, This original unhatched Oviraptor egg is 70-80 million years old from the Djadokhta formation of Ukhaa Tolgod of Mongolia. This egg was found in the Gobi desert and is the largest ever found at 8.5 inches long and 3.3 inches wide. It belongs to the largest of the two Oviraptor species called Citipati to distinguish this difference from the other smaller species. Citipati Oviraptorids were made famous by the nest of eggs with the mother Citipati sitting on top of the eggs in a brooding position. This famous specimen is displayed in the New York Museum of Natural History and was discovered in 1995. It was revolutionary to discover a dinosaur sitting on top of its eggs like a bird and only later was it discovered that Oviraptors such as Citipati also had feathers like a bird. Citipati eggs are ratite in texture and have a very thin shell which is why they are rarely found complete. This premium quality egg is fully inflated and has been fully prepared with sharp textured detail on the shell with over 75% original shell on the top of the egg and 40% original shell on the bottom side. Rarely are Oviraptor eggs found that are over 6.5 inches long and unhatched eggs such as this one often have disarticulated embryonic bones inside the egg, even though no bones are visible in this egg.
Add $20 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $800 - 1,000
|
| |
| Realized $630 |
